Tbilisi (GBC) - Ekaterine Mikabadze, First Vice Governor of the National Bank of Georgia, took part in the regional financial conference “Strengthening Financial Partnerships between Azerbaijan, Georgia, Türkiye and the U.S.”, held within the framework of the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C.

The conference brought together representatives from central banks and financial institutions to discuss key issues related to financial and supervisory frameworks critical for the region’s economic development. Participants highlighted the strategic role of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey as a vital economic corridor connecting Europe and Asia, emphasizing that their collaboration with the United States is essential for fostering sustainable economic growth and financial stability.

During a panel discussion, Mikabadze underscored the growing importance of strengthening financial ties among countries in the region, particularly in the context of global financial market development. She noted that as economic activity intensifies along the Middle Corridor, the demand for interconnected financial services is increasing.

“The National Bank of Georgia is actively cooperating with the central banks of Turkey and Azerbaijan across multiple areas,” Mikabadze stated. “This includes the implementation of modern real-time gross settlement (RTGS) systems, instant payment systems (IPS), fintech initiatives, and efforts to improve the efficiency of cross-border payments. These advancements are integral to fostering an integrated, innovative financial ecosystem.”

Mikabadze also addressed the risks currently confronting central banks and monetary policy amid heightened global uncertainty. Ekaterine Mikabadze noted that, based on the National Bank of Georgia's risk-based monetary policy approach, the NBG has successfully managed to maintain low inflation.